My box of work belongings is packed away as of now, I came in earlier than usual as William suggested and redecorated my office, nothing had changed overnight of course but it almost felt like a completely different room from the one I'd left the previous day. Somehow it feels a lot colder than before, I can't quite put my finger on what it is yet but it definitely feels like something is missing; I glance around the room subconsciously to try and find the culprit but am unlucky once again - everything is where it should be, maybe it's just me.

My office doors are open as they always are, welcoming in any colleagues strolling in for their full day ahead. I'm almost certain that everyone in the entire building has no doubt heard of yesterday's antics, but I'm not remotely affected by their gossiping. I carefully study my office, still not being able to locate the source that's missing. "Harry." William calls abruptly as he rounds my office door in a swift rush, being careful not to topple over. "Are you settled in?" His posture upright despite his crippling back, almost as if standing tall will make him appear more authoritative, which it does quite successfully.

"Yes sir." My answer is short and respectful, William is shockingly terrifying when he's annoyed or irate.

"No need for the formalities son, it's not you I'm frustrated with." His eyes roll, most likely of his conversation with Mr Miller yesterday regarding my 'situation'.

"Sorry sir." My mouth absentmindedly speaks, and within seconds William is glancing at me expectantly over his shoulder, forcing me to think over what I'd just uttered. I simply shrug with a wry smile.

Williams frame stops abruptly in front of me, I hadn't even noticed that we had been walking in the direction of the tenth floor, where the meeting room is situated. The grey walls, similar to my own, resemble the coldness of this place; transforming from somewhere that I loved being, to the place I dreaded coming to every morning. My body aches for excitement and change in this place, I feel like I'm the colour of stone and I'm stuck and grounded to the floor, sitting on my own shadow and lost in my solitude, what is happening? "Son?" Williams voice tears me from my deteriorating thoughts. "Come on in."

My footsteps seem to echo against the laminate floor, the dark wood beneath my feet dying to swallow me whole into its endless abyss. As I turn the corner Mr Miller Sr. sits exquisitely proper at the wooden desk, his aged hands clasped on the table in front of him waiting for me to arrive; William takes the seat next to him, my conscience telling me to sit opposite them fighting against my readily fleeing legs. "Mr Styles thank you for joining us today, I gather you are all unpacked by now?" Mr Miller Sr starts, his expression so similar to that of his sons, however I actually feel a sense of humanity radiating from this member of the family. My nod is discreet but nevertheless he continues, "as founders and former CEO's of this company, Mr James and I would like to apologise profusely for the actions and attitudes of Wesley Miller, myself more so."

William continues, "his behaviour was highly unprofessional, therefore he has been reprimanded throughly and will face the consequences of his actions. As you know, your position has been restored as well as your office and duties."

"Your work is astounding Harry, and Wesley knows this. His personality is so driven sometimes that he forgets how to be human too. As an apology on the companies behalf, we would like to invite yourself and a guest of your choice to accompany us to dinner tomorrow night. It will all be paid for by the company, drinks included, and hopefully it will also be a night to wipe the slate clean." The two men convey genuine smiles and their body language almost pleads for me to accept. They're brilliant men and a pleasure to work for, but it's not their apology I want.

My mind is read by William once again as he waits for his old friend to finish, "both Wesley and Ethan will attend too." I nod in thanks, biting on my lips inwardly. My eyes scan the dark wooden desk as my fingers fiddle ferociously with each other on it's hard surface, "why don't you bring that nice young lady I've heard so much about." His suggestion tears me from my dreaded thoughts and my aura rests happily with Odette at the centre of my mind.

My smile erupts slightly and I make eye contact with the cheeky pair, both excited to meet my other half. "You know I wouldn't have considered anyone else."

• • •

The rest of my day has passed as smoothly as it possibly could, seeing all of my colleagues and easing their minds was by far the most challenging task of the day. It turns out almost the building in its entirety had heard of my redundancy and were desperate to hear about my well-being, or in some cases, excited for new gossip. My workload had completely dissipated by the end of my working day, every last slither of paper had been signed, approved, and filed away as it should be and I was reminded why I was given this job opportunity in the first place. The occasional words of encouragement were welcomed also by William, Ethan and Mr Miller Sr. they all popped their heads in every now and then to tell me I'm doing well or what I needed to do, even Ethan was surprised with how quickly and efficiently I got my work done. It's safe to say they all seem happy with my performance.

'Harry, what would you like to eat?' The movement of her hands attracts my attention and I glance up at her sentence feeling particularly hungry now.

"Whatever you're hungry for, I don't mind."

'Okay,' she readies to make what appears to be fettuccini a ragu. I love it when she makes this dish, it's absolutely incredible. 'So tell me about how your day went, what did William say?'

"My day was amazing, the workload was perfect like it should have been and they were really impressed with my efficiency." I explain to her, I can see that she's itching to ask about Mr Miller and I don't blame her - she knows everything about my work situation, she's the person I confide in most. "Mr Miller wasn't in today, he's facing consequences apparently. And as an apology they have restored me to my position and duties, and they've also invited me and one guest to attend a dinner tomorrow night, courtesy of the company."

'Harry that's amazing. So everything is good again, you have your job back and you're getting recognition. Before you know it, you'll be taking their jobs.' I laugh at her statement, Odette's positive energy bursting as she express' her pride. 'Who are you taking to the dinner with you?'

Her innocence is astounding although I catch a somewhat cheeky and knowing smile after a few seconds. I decide to tease her, "oh I don't think you know her, she's about this high, French, browny-blonde hair. I can't remember her name though, I think it might begin with an O, or was it an L...I can't remember." Odette pounces on me and attacks my face with small and delicate kisses, her smile palpable and her excitement flooding through my veins as if we were strung up together by an invisible wire. "Of course I'm taking you." Her kiss rests on my lips finally and I'm glad for the welcoming feeling of home.

"William said that he would message me with the details, the venue and time." I mumble against the top of her head. There is nothing but silence between us, however it was slightly different than normal, I felt a wave of a strong and pulling emotion, almost tension. Odette's fingers began to warm and sweat as she fists my shirt in her palm, she's keeping something from me and I'm determined to find out what it is. Knowing Odette's past, she has a habit of keeping things to herself, "what's wrong?" I ask, not giving her an opportunity to debate.

'Mama called whist you were in work, she said that Peters funeral is next week.' She opens up to me and as grateful as I am, my heart sinks.

"Are you going baby?" I ask, hoping that my use of a pet name with melt her heart if not slightly.

She sighs in catastrophic defeat, 'I don't know,' her fingers run mildly through her untamed waves, 'mama thinks it would be good for me to get closure. What do you think?'

I am completely unprepared for the question, with her opening up to me and involving me in her thoughts, she's a completely different person than the one I first met pressing incessantly on her doorbell, I'm so proud of her...concentrate Harry! My subconscious scolds me back to the here and now. "I think you should go baby, I agree with Julia, it would be good for you." My mind wanders elsewhere after my brief response and Odette catches on immediately, I attempt to set my lips into a slim line as to not give anything away, however, on the contrary it seems to be the key to my defeat.

'You're not telling me something, what is it?' Oh how the roles have reversed, I chuckle internally at my subconscious and his quick wit. She reads my facial expression with ease, and here I was thinking I was giving nothing away.

"I can't go with you baby." Her eyebrows deepen at my confession and she shakes her head in disbelief, understandable of course considering we do everything together. After a few quick blinks and a moment to catch her thoughts she nods, trying to convince me that she's okay with my statement. "I could ask Ben, or Lucy maybe. Or I'm sure one of the lads would love to g-."

'Harry it's fine, I'll be fine. I'm a grown woman I can handle it on my own.' To anyone else she would have been completely convincing, I however can see right through her and I know she doesn't believe a word she is saying.

I raise her lips to mine and after a sweet kiss I mumble into her lips, "I don't want you to go through this alone. Don't worry, I'll find someone." Hell, if I didn't have to be in work I'd hop on the next place to France right now, but after all of the hassle that I've encountered over the last few days, I'd rather just go to work as normal. Oh this woman, she's driving me mad in every way possible, and I can't help but love her for it.

Her eyes roll and I raise my eyebrows with a smirk, she's so comfortable with me now it's ridiculous - the way she moves so graciously in my apartment, she already knows where everything is. Her hips sway as she begins her cooking, the stiff fettuccini placed into a pan of boiling water and the ragu being made from scratch as she always does, a perfectly balanced selection of meat and sauce makes it her speciality, and of course the 'secret ingredient' that she refuses to tell me about because she doesn't trust me to run away and exploit it to the press.

'Is it ready yet?' My hands wander from her hips to in front of her face to sign my incessant question - Odette's back is pressed up against my front as I watch intently from over her shoulder. Everything skilfully being orchestrated before my very eyes; a pinch of salt here and there, a dash of olive oil, a hint of basil and within minutes she is dishing out our meal before us, speaking of dishes, "I'll clean up afterwards." I smile as I take my plate and hurry to the dining table, Odette scurrying not far behind me as she places her plate in the seat opposite mine.

'It smells delicious. Must be the secret ingredient...' she teases and I can't help but shake my head at her torment; however, I'd have her keep a playful secret from me any day rather than one about her past. Our cutlery clanks against the square porcelain plates and within no more than ten minutes my plate is empty once again.

I watch the slow eater opposite me and smile, that's one thing I love about her - she never seems to be in a rush, always cherishing every moment she can. Her hands are delicate against the food, cutting it artfully and with grace, something I'm sure everyone finds difficult when eating fettuccini, although she makes it look so easy. Her eyes scan the food, every second her mind thinking of somewhere else on the plate to target her hunger. She glances up at me for a moment as she chews and I can't help but take a large breath and grin at the beautiful woman in front of me, oh how lucky I am. Those same ocean blue eyes that I fell in love with the first day she giggled at the fool stood in her doorway; everything about her intoxicates me, and I can't bear being apart from her a day longer. My mind reels at a thought but my mouth blurts it out before I can filter.

"Move in with me."

____________________________

Comment and vote please! Thank you :)

- Pianogirl56